Charleston, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - Cameron Payne scored 21 points and grabbed six rebounds as the Murray State Racers held on to beat the Eastern Illinois Panthers, 70-66, in Ohio Valley Conference action at Lantz Arena.

T.J. Sapp netted 20 points on 5-of-14 shooting for Murray State (10-7, 5-0 OVC). Jonathan Fairell scored eight points and pulled down a team-high 14 rebounds in the win. The Racers have won five straight games.

Reggie Smith led all scorers in the game with 27 points on 8-of-23 shooting for Eastern Illinois (5-12, 2-4). Sherman Blanford added 17 points and 14 rebounds for the double-double. Eastern Illinois has lost four of its last five contests.

The Racers struggled in the first half, hitting just 30.8 percent of their shots from the floor, including 3-of-11 from 3-point range. The Panthers took a 36-28 lead into the half after shooting 36.1 percent on field goal attempts.

Murray State improved to 42.9 percent shooting in the second half, outscoring the Panthers 42-30 in the frame and earning the four-point victory. Eastern Illinois shot a dismal 25 percent in the second frame.

The Racers held the edge in 3-point field goals made, 7-2, and had a 15-7 advantage in fast break points.